Yreka versus Lassen Baseball: Miners earn crucial win

Tuesday

Apr 2, 2013 at 2:18 PMApr 2, 2013 at 2:32 PM

Tanner Horton for the Daily News

On Friday afternoon the Lassen Grizzlies came into Yreka after sweeping the Miners in a doubleheader on Tuesday.On that day, Lassen defeated Yreka 3-1 in the first game and 9-8 in the second, which put the Grizzlies at 10-4 for the season and 5-0 in the NAL. The Miners came into Friday's game at 6-7-1, 3-2 in league. This marked the last regular season meeting between the two teams, as Lassen was unable to complete the season sweep as Yreka won 14-4 in just six innings."It felt good to get the win," Yreka head coach Jason Freitas said after the game." It was a must-win after being swept Tuesday and now we've still got a chance to compete for the NAL (title.)."Lassen was able to score once in the top of the first and took a quick 1-0 lead. Junior Michael Schuler started off the game with a double for Yreka. Following him was Cade Parker, who made a base hit. After an error on Lassen, Schuler was able to steal home and tie the game 1-1. Christian Charles was up to bat next and hit an RBI single to send Parker home. Up 2-1 two batters later, Cody Hoff hit a three run home run to put the Miners up 5-1.The second inning flew by as both teams went three up and three out. In the bottom of the third, Matt Jespersen hit a two RBI single to increase the lead to six at7-1. Levi Bartholomew finished off the third inning with an RBI single, giving the Miners an 8-1 lead. Lassen was able to send in one run in the fourth and the score was 8-2 going into the fifth .Once again, the Grizzlies sent in only one run while at bat to make it 8-3. Jespersen hit an RBI double to make it 9-3.Three batters later, Parker sent the ball deep for a two RBI double to give the Miners an eight point lead. Lassen's struggled coming back and only scored one more run in the sixth to make it 11-4. In the bottom of the sixth, Gabe Durney started off with a double. Hoff was up next to bat and was walked. The bases were loaded up after Michael Elfgen was hit with a pitch. Tyler Johnson was then walked, sending Durney in to make the score 12-4. Bartholomew sent in Hoff with a single. Michael Schuler was able to complete the 10-run win with a base hit that sent in Elfgen.With the victory, Yreka's hopes of repeating as league champions stay alive. The Miners improved to 7-7-1 (4-2). This also marked Curt Bennett's third win in five starts this season"It was great to see Bennett battle the way he did out there and it was also great to see us hit as well as we did." Freitas said.Lassen suffered their first league loss of the year.The Miners are in Southern California to compete in the four-day Lions Club Anaheim Invitational, which begins today.

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